Winter storage indoors or outdoors is not only expensive, but also highly coveted. So it's no wonder that more and more owners are considering winter storage in the water. This is already common practice in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, so why not here in Germany too! Especially as recent winters have been mild. So what needs to be considered for winter storage in the water?
The right harbour
Not all marinas offer winter moorings. In many places, the jetties are even taken out of the water. Others, however, are open all year round. It is important that the facility is well protected: from storms and waves, from strong currents, from the swell of passing ships and from ice. A thin layer of ice, on the other hand, is comparatively harmless. Floes that are piled on top of each other by the wind and current and press against the hull, on the other hand, can cause major damage.
Furthermore, the infrastructure of the winter harbour must be suitable for the planned use. Although electricity is available almost everywhere, the water connections on the jetties are usually switched off. And if the boat is to be lifted out of the water in spring or autumn to carry out maintenance work on the underwater hull or to apply new antifouling, a crane must be available that can also remain in operation in winter. If there is more extensive work to be done, it is worthwhile having winter quarters with an attached boatyard. This should be discussed when renting the berth.
Favourable alternative
In addition to the fact that winter storage on land is fully booked in many places, winter in the water offers a price advantage. In fact, only 50 percent of the costs for a summer berth are due or even less; no comparison to the bill for craning in autumn and spring and the space in an outdoor or indoor storage facility. But Hans Jaich, co-managing director of the nine Im-Jaich marinas on the German North Sea and Baltic coasts, puts this into perspective: "We still recommend taking the boat out of the water once a year. We have even insisted on this for some of them." He points out that the responsibility for looking after the boat remains with the owner, for example in the event of a storm or high tide. From a legal point of view, a mooring contract is generally a rental contract and not a storage or safekeeping contract.
Rights and obligations in winter
Lawyer Dr Heyko Wychodil explains: "The tenant, i.e. the owner, has the right to use the space provided, i.e. the berth. The landlord or harbour operator only has to fulfil obligations relating to the operation of the harbour. If, for example, there are major changes in the water level, it is not his fault. The owner must take care of the resulting consequences." The risk of burglary and theft also lies with the tenant of the berth.
For owners, this means that, as in summer, they also have to think about who will regularly look after the boat in winter, especially during storms or frost, unless they can do it themselves. Harbour masters are not obliged to do this, and many only work in the summer anyway. At some jetties, no one is on duty during the cold season.
Does the insurance cover winter storage in water?
Harbour operators sometimes offer additional services, such as checking the lines in the event of storms and changes in water level. If this is contractually agreed and the harbour operator fails to do so, they would be liable in the event of damage, according to lawyer Wychodil.
It is also important that owners fulfil their duty of care with regard to insurance. If this is not done, emphasises Dirk Hilcken, who is responsible for sales coordination at the insurance broker Pantaenius, there is a risk that an insurer will consider this to be gross negligence and reduce the claims settlement accordingly.
It makes sense to clarify with your own insurance company whether the cover extends to winter storage in the water, as is the case with Pantaenius, or whether this and possible consequential damage are excluded. Hilcken also advises: "An owner should always assume the worst-case scenario. The last winter was mild, but who is to say that the coming winter will be like that again?"
How to prepare the yacht for hibernation in the water
Once the decision for a winter in the water and a harbour has been made, the boat needs to be properly prepared. This depends, among other things, on the planned use. If you are leaving the boat in the water solely for cost reasons and because you have not successfully found a place to store it on land and are not planning to use it, it is advisable to winterise the boat carefully: sails, tarpaulins, sprayhood and cake stand should be removed and any equipment on deck that is not required should be dismantled. If possible, sheets and halyards should also be removed from the boat, cleaned and stored in a dry place.
"Moisture in combination with frost is an enemy for the materials," says Jens Nickel, owner of Segelmacherei Stade. In principle, however, there is nothing to stop cruising sailors from leaving their sails up in winter if the owner wants to continue sailing. "Good UV protection is particularly important for year-round use," says Nickel.
However, laminate sails should always be removed as they cannot withstand the combination of moisture and frost. However, if you also want to use the cake stand and sprayhood in winter, this is not a problem. But: "If they are used twelve instead of six months a year, you have to expect wear and tear earlier, of course," says Nickel.
Other winter preparations include cleaning the anchor and chain of salt and dirt and removing sensitive wooden parts or covering them with a securely stretched tarpaulin. Below deck, cushions are raised or removed from the boat, the batteries are fully charged, the bilge emptied and the lockers and doors opened. If you are not on board regularly to ventilate or even heat, you should at least place a dehumidifier with granulate in the boat. And at the latest, when persistent frost is on its way, the engine must be winterised, the sea valves filled with antifreeze and the water tanks emptied.
If, on the other hand, the ship continues to be used regularly in winter and is therefore sailed or even permanently occupied, the preparation is correspondingly less extensive. In this case, however, the shore-side infrastructure should be right. In addition to electricity, water and open sanitary facilities, this also includes crane or slip facilities.
Pros and cons of winter storage in the water
Those who opt for winter storage in the water not only save money; they also benefit from sailing days at a time of year when most people are ashore. You might even be able to enjoy a New Year's Eve or New Year's Day cruise. If the boat is close to home, nothing stands in the way of cosy evenings or weekends on board while it is stormy or snowing outside.
One argument against storage in the water is that winter storms or even ice can damage the boat. Even if extensive refit work is planned, winter storage in the water is not suitable. However, if you decide to experiment, the time on the jetty can be a great experience. After all, the season is then twice as long as usual.
